Titus ton inspires remarkable Talybont chase

THE Vicarage ground saw out August with a pulsating ‘Find and Country’ Conference game that went the way of the bottom team, writes Huw Chambers.

On a gloomy afternoon, visiting skipper Vinod Mathew had no doubts after winning the toss.

He invited the Commoners to bat, hoping for some movement with the new ball. Initially, his hopes came to naught, as Shoaib Syed and Azad put on a lively 50 stand to see off the opening bowlers.

The change bowling did the trick, Robin having Shoaib pouched at cover by Jestus Jerry for 22 and then bowling Waqar for 7, despite the latter having opened his account with a six.

The scoring rate dropped substantially, with slow bowlers Jestus and Titus Mathew holding the batsmen in check in their contrasting styles.

Jestus trapped the dangerous Azad in front for 39 and then bowled Dave Thomas.

The innings appeared to be in danger of sagging when Titus had batting cornerstone Mo Aslam caught at slip by his father Vinod and followed this feat by bowling Zohaib.

With six wickets down, however, Commoners had calmness at the crease personified in Omair Syed.

With Umar Aslam also dropping anchor, the pair took the score past 100 and started to find the gaps.

Omair played several drives past the infield, as well as some textbook sweeps which frustrated the bowlers.

Their useful stand came to an end when Devadas made huge ground to field off his own bowling and threw down the stumps with Umar inches short of safety.

Omair continued to prosper for a while, but Phil Abraham drew Satish into a loose shot, Blenesh Jose casually completing the catch at gully.

Omair’s excellent knock came to an end on 72 when he edged Abraham to wicketkeeper Mudit Bohra, and the same combination did for Doug Whittaker.

Ehetesham had ensured maximum batting points for his team and remained unbeaten on 11.

The reply got off to an electric start, Waqar Younis producing one of the searing yorkers he is renowned for.

He trapped Vinod Mathew on the crease and then peppered Jose and Devadas with a series of short-pitched deliveries that the batsmen chose to take on the body. In a classic sucker-punch, Jose drove at a wide ball from Zohaib, Omair taking the catch at point.

The same bowler the enticed Joseph Thomas to cut a ball that was too close to him, and the ball cannoned down onto the bails.

The innings stood in tatters at 11-3.

Devadas was joined by Titus who immediately showed the value of playing with a straight bat.

He unfurled his trademark midwicket flick immediately, with anything on his pads being hit through the legside like a tracer bullet.

Devadas showed immense patience, playing with soft hands as he guided the occasional delivery behind square.

His best innings for the club proved the ideal foil for Mathew as their quick running between the wickets put pressure on the fielders.

After their century stand had wrested the initiative away, Devadas, on 35, was tempted into playing away from his body and Asad made a fine catch running in from third man.

Mudit Bohra was also content to play second fiddle and played several fine shots of his own as well.

Titus reached the 90s with a searing square drive, but Mudit was run out by a direct Mo Aslam hit.

Having reached a fine 115, Titus was bowled by Waqar, and Sreeraj was tempted by Mo Aslam to hole out to Zohaib at long off.

Waqar then took a wonderful juggling catch on the midwicket boundary to dismiss Jestus, and Jeo was bowled by Zohaib. With only one wicket left, Robin held up one end whilst Abraham calmly brought his side home.

The ‘Homely Baskets’ man of the match was Titus Mathew. The game saw the retirement of Doug Whtittaker, who has served many clubs in the league with nothing less than the utmost effort, combining determination with true sporting integrity.